The effect of high hydrostatic pressure on black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) flavour compounds

Abstract

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), at 4°C or -18°C, on black truffle flavour compounds, alteration enzymes (lipoxigenase (LOX), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO)) and microbiological qualities were evaluated. The choosen analytes for this study are six alcohols, three aldehydes, one ketone and on sulfur component. The highest flavour stability was observed when samples were pressurized at 300 MPa / 4°C / 10 min. All the treatments induced a drastic decrease of LOX activity and a slight decrease of POD activity. On the other hand, the PPO was not inactivated by pressurization at sub-zero (200 MPa / -18°C / 10 min) and was strongly increased after the 300 MPa / 4°C / 10 min treatment. Pressurization at 300 and 550 MPa lead to an almost complete Pseudomonas fluorescens reduction (6 and 6.5 log destruction, respectively) whereas pressurization at -18°C (200MPa) allowed to obtain only 3 log reduction. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.